Just six days ago, Portland was considered to be superior to New Orleans. Now, two games later, the Pelicans are up 2-0 in their Western Conference playoff series and Portland is a road 'dog in do-or-die mode.

Is it time to close the book on the Trail Blazers? Perhaps. But I do believe Damian Lillard is due for a turnabout and the Trail Blazers will let everything hang here. The Pelicans are going to take the Trail Blazers' best punch.

Lillard has made just 13 of 41 shots from the floor for 31.7 percent in the series. He's much better than that. C.J. McCollum is due to play better, too.

Portland should fare better as the hunter rather than the hunted. The Trail Blazers have covered six of the last eight times they've been underdogs. They have covered 56 percent of their road games this season. New Orleans has a decent, but not great home court advantage. The Pelicans have a losing ATS mark at Smoothie King Center.

I find Portland's Terry Stotts to be an underrated coach. He's going to make adjustments and tweaks in this Game 3, including probably putting Moe Harkless into the starting lineup. Harkless could be Portland's secret weapon. He had been out the past 10 games due to injury before returning in Game 2. Harkless had a Portland-best plus 10 during his court time in Game 2.

The Trail Blazers entered the playoffs 13-3 ATS the last 16 times Harkless has played.